CARAVANSABY 344 CABBINEEIIS Mohammedan countries caravans of pil- grims are annually formed to make the journey to Mecca. The most important are those which annually set out from Damascus and Cairo. Camels are used as a means of conveyance on account of their remarkable powers of endurance. CARAVANSARY, or CARAVAN- SERAI, a large public building, or inn, for the reception and lodgment of cara- vans in the desert. Though serving in- stead of inns, there is this essentii-1 dif- ference between them, that the traveler finds nothing in the caravansary for the use either of himself or his cattle, but must carry all his provisions and neces- saries with him. Caravansaries are also numerous in cities, where they serve not only as inns, but as shops, warehouses, and even exchanges. CARAVEL, the name of different kinds of vessels, particularly a small ship used by the Spaniards and Portu- guese in the 15th and 16th centuries for long voyages. It was narrow at the poop, wide at the bow, and carried a the sake of the well-known aromatic "caraway seeds" which it bears; these being, however, in strictness not seeds, but the meHcarps, into which the fruit in this order splits when ripening. Their properties are due to the volatile cara- way-oil, which is contained in the large oil-glands {vittse) of the fruit, and is distilled on a large scale, chiefly for the preparation of the liqueur known as kiimmel, but also for use in perfumery and in pharmacy, as an aromatic stimu- lant, and flavoring ingredient. Caraways are, however, chiefly used entire as a spice by bakers and confectioners, and the cultivation of the plant thus attains considerable importance, particularly in Germany and Holland. CARBAZOTIC ACID. See PiCRiC Acid. CARBIDE, a compound formed by the union of carbon with an element, as iron or hydrogen. CARBINE, a fire-arm used by cavalry and artillery, shorter in the barrel than CARAVEL double tower at its stern and a single one at its bows. It had four masts and a bowsprit, and the principal sails were lateen sails. It was in command of three such caravels that Columbus crossed the Atlantic and discovered America. CARAWAY (Carum Carvi or Carui) , a species of Umbelliferse, which has long been valued and cultivated in Europe for the ordinary musket or rifle. It was used by light cavalry as early as the 16th century. CARBINEERS, or CARABINEERS, formerly light horsemen, used chiefly to watch and harass the enemy, defend nar- row passes, and act as skirmishers. The corresponding modern terms are hussars and lancers. J
